Benefits of quitting cannabis

After nearly a year of chronic marijuana usage (roughly an eighth every 2 days) I have decided to kick the habit for a variety of reasons. The financial aspect is a predominant one, but what concerned me the most was my lack of attendance at Uni, social withdrawal, and waning enthusiasm for my hobbies and interests.

It has now been 4 days since I ingested weed (they were some rather shitty "hash cakes" which had little noticeable effect) and I'm concerned about my emotional well-being. Rather than feeling positive about my decision, I keep lapsing into self-loathing and regret over how much I allowed the habit to take over my life. I know this is pointless, as there's nothing I can do to change it now other than accept my fuck-ups and focus on the good that will come from my decision to quit. I am a naturally anxious person anyway, but can't help but feel that these feelings have been exacerbated by withdrawal. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I haven't suffered from sweats or insomnia, but I have had a pounding headache and of course this anxiety, bordering on depression.

So in short, it would be really useful to hear from anyone who can shed any light on my situation, as I can't help but feel that a sober and terrifying re-assessment of one's actions is a common effect of giving up weed.

Tom xx

Hi,

I understand what you are going through, I think everyone in this community does. I know I have gone through the same thing. After over a decade of toking I stopped and started to question EVERYTHING. Everything I thought I knew about myself, my situation, the decisions I have made, the decisions I have neglected to make.......the list is endless.

I know me telling you that it will pass and that things will be ok won't really change how you feel at the moment but it will pass and things will be ok. It is hard, especially in the early days, to focus on the positive but try. Turn negative statments and thoughts into positive ones. For example 'I can't believe all the time I have wasted getting stoned that I could have been studying and got better grades' into 'I accept that I have wasted time but I still have time to make a difference to my overall result by working hard now'.

Its a slow process but if I can do it, anyone can!